"This is what you wanted."
After confirming that Kakashi and the others were safe and sound, Hiruzen Sarutobi gestured with his chin toward Yang Jiu.
"One hundred Wandering Ninja, along with supplies worth two hundred million Ryo."
Behind him, one hundred Wandering Ninja stood in a row in disheveled clothing. Further back, twenty Root Ninja opened sealing scrolls, and piles of supplies appeared out of thin air—food, ironware, medicine, and Ninja tools, piling up into a small mountain.
Yang Jiu's gaze swept over the supplies, a hint of satisfaction flashing in his golden pupils.
He signaled to Kawajūrō.
Kawajūrō nodded, strode forward, and led his subordinates to begin counting the supplies and registering the personnel.
Their movements were efficient, and their expressions calm.
A moment later, he walked back to Yang Jiu's side and nodded slightly.
"Wolf King, the numbers are correct."
Yang Jiu curled his lips and looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"That is good."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the twenty Konoha Ninja on the training ground.
"You may take the people."
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded and looked at Kakashi and the others.
"Let's go."
The twenty Ninja began to move, walking toward the Konoha team.
However—their footsteps were much slower than expected.
Especially those few young Genin; they couldn't help but look back every few steps, their eyes filled with an indescribable emotion.
Kakashi walked at the back of the group.
His pace remained steady, and his face still showed no expression.
But if one looked closely, they would notice his gaze lingered a little longer than usual when passing the wolf god statue.
Guilt. Everyone had a faint sense of guilt in their hearts.
As if... they had done something to betray Konoha.
Yet, they clearly hadn't done anything.
It was just that their hearts now held something that shouldn't be there.
Hiruzen Sarutobi watched these returning Ninja, his brows furrowing slightly.
He always felt something was wrong, but he couldn't put his finger on it for the moment.
"Let's go." He turned around and led the team away.
Kakashi looked back one last time.
That silver-white figure was still standing on the high platform, golden eyes watching them.
At the moment their gazes met, Yang Jiu's lips curled slightly.
Kakashi withdrew his gaze and strode away.
As the Konoha people left, two system notifications exploded in Yang Jiu's mind simultaneously.
[Ding—mission Completed: First Transaction]
[Received mission reward: 100 EXP, 100 Points, chakra amplification pill × 1]
[Ding—mission Completed: Village of One Hundred Ninja]
[Received mission reward: 5000 EXP, 5000 Points, Special Building · Ninja Village contract stele, Racial Talent · Human-Wolf Resonance]
Yang Jiu's eyes lit up. The mission for the Village of One Hundred Ninja was finally complete.
With a thought, the system interface unfolded before his eyes.
[strongest wolf clan system]
Race: Wolf Clan
Level: 3 (9000/50000)
Members: 150
Racial Talents: Wind Body, Bronze Skin and Iron Bones, Forests Favor, Wolf Soul Link, Human-Wolf Resonance
Racial Ninjutsu: Storm Blade, Chakra Refining Technique, Wolf Pack Tactics · Wolf Fang Formation
Race Points: 13950
"Not bad, just one thousand short of completing one-fifth of the experience."
"The mission for the rise of the Wolf Clan is also almost complete, and then my strength will be able to usher in another burst."
Yang Jiu nodded with satisfaction. However, while he was satisfied, someone else was not.
After the Konoha group left the Wolf Ninja Village, they headed west along the forest path.
After walking about five miles, Danzo Shimura, who had been silent all along, suddenly stopped.
"Hiruzen, you all go back first."
Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned slightly and turned to look at him.
Danzo's single eye narrowed slightly, his face expressionless.
"Root still has missions to handle; I will not be traveling with you."
Hiruzen Sarutobi stared at him for a few seconds.
"Danzo, I hope you remember today's events."
"That wolf is not someone you can provoke."
Danzo pulled his lips into a cold arc.
"Hiruzen, you are still as cautious as ever."
"Rest assured, I know what to do."
After saying this, without waiting for Hiruzen Sarutobi to respond, he took his thirty-two Root members and turned to walk in another direction.
Hiruzen Sarutobi watched his back, his brow furrowing even deeper.
"Third Hokage..." Kakashi stepped forward, wanting to say something but hesitating.
Hiruzen Sarutobi waved his hand. "...Let's go."
He turned around and led the team forward. But in his heart, there was always a faint sense of unease.
On the other side. Danzo led the Root members, moving quickly through the forest, but their direction was not back to Konoha, but rather—circling toward another side of the Wolf Ninja Village.
"Lord Danzo, are we..." a Root Ninja asked in a low voice.
A sinister glint flashed in Danzo's single eye.
"That wolf must be obtained."
"It can speak, it can manipulate lightning, and it can establish a Village—"
"Such an existence must either be used by Konoha, or..."
He paused. "Destroyed."
"But what about the Sandaime..."
"Sandaime?" Danzo sneered. "He has grown old and soft-hearted. Making a deal with a beast? It is simply a disgrace to Konoha."
Afterward, he turned to look at the twelve captured Ninja.
"During this time, you should have gained some understanding of these beasts."
Danzo's voice was low and cold, his single eye sweeping over them.
"Tell me everything you know."
The twelve Root Ninja looked at each other. The leading Cat-faced Ninja stepped forward and whispered:
"Lord Danzo, those Ninja Wolves... are not simple."
"Nonsense." Danzo snorted coldly. "Be specific."
The Cat-faced Ninja took a deep breath and began to report:
"That silver-white Wolf King has strength at least at the Kage level. It can manipulate lightning, and its speed is so fast that even the Sharingan cannot keep up. When we first entered the forest, we hadn't even had time to deploy our barrier before we were covered by its lightning strikes..."
"Those ordinary Ninja Wolves number around one hundred and fifty. Most are equivalent to Genin to Chunin in strength, but there are a few exceptionally strong ones—one with a Scarface, one pure black, and one largest gray wolf, whose strength is close to a Special Jonin."
"Their organization is extremely strong. They have patrols, sentries, and combat formations. They don't seem like beasts, but rather more like..."
"Like what?"
"...Like an army."
Danzo's single eye narrowed slightly. An army? A pack of wolves, actually capable of forming an army?
"Anything else?" The Cat-faced Ninja shook his head: "No."
Danzo's brows furrowed. He was silent for a moment, a thoughtful light flashing in his single eye.
A moment later, he looked up. "Establish a stronghold near this forest."
"Be discreet; do not let those wolves discover you."
"I need to know everything about them—their numbers, strength, habits, and weaknesses."
The Root Ninja replied in unison: "Yes!"
Danzo turned around and looked toward the distance.
"And—" He paused, a deep light flashing in his single eye.
"Send someone to contact Orochimaru."
"Tell him I have a very interesting wolf here."
"Ask him if he is interested in... cooperating."
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